"We are all aware of the 50th anniversary of the closure of most of the M&GN system on 28 February this year, but another important anniversary should not be overlooked.

Saturday 10 October 2009 was the 50th anniversary of the formation of the M&GN Joint Railway Preservation Society with the inaugural meeting being held at the Town Hall Great Yarmouth on Saturday 10 October 1959.

The idea of saving a section of the M&GN goes back to mid-1958 when the closure proposals were first announced and indeed literature was produced under the name M&GNJRPS (proposed) very early on and certainly before the official inaugural meeting.

The original scheme was for the retention of the North Walsham to Yarmouth Beach section as this was thought to be the most well used and attractive part of the route. However, as is well known, BR were determined to remove all traces of the M&GN as soon as possible starting with the Yarmouth section. As a result a large number of potential supporters became disillusioned with project and there was considerable debate about whether we should actually go ahead, hence the long delay between initial concept and actually forming the Society.

In spite of all this doubt, Brian Clark and I went ahead with the inaugural meeting and the Society was born.

The rest is another story."

Click for Gallery

NNR Autumn Steam Gala 2009

5th September 2009

This year's guests were of a western theme and featured star guest GWR 4-4-0 'City of Truro', GNR N2 0-6-2T 1744, GWR 0-6-2T 6619 and GWR 2-6-2T 5521. The N2 and Quads looked the part. The N2 and City of Truro will stay for the 1940s weekend.

Click for Gallery

Wissington Boiler Passed

16th July 2009

Wissington's boiler sucessfully passed its internal inspections. In May the inner firebox was completed, a new blastpipe cast and new cylinder drain cocks manufactured and fitted.

Click for Gallery

The M&GN: 1959 - 2009

28th February 2009

The 28th February marks exactly 50 years since the majorty of the M&GN system closed.

To commemorate the closure, the 50th anniversary 'Thats Yer Lot' Gala on the NNR was held over two weekends and featured five visiting locomotives.

Click for Gallery

That's Yer Lot Gala

6th January 2009

The NNR's general manager Geoff Gowing said: "This is the biggest event we have ever hosted and we couldn't let the 50th anniversary pass. We are extremely lucky to be able to have five unique visiting locomotives and the February 27 will be operating will be devoted to the operation of the visiting engines".

The re-commissioning of Holt signal box (which will be opened just a few weeks before the gala) will greatly enhance the operation flexibility of the intensive timetable that will be in use over the two weekends, which will feature a demolition-train and the newly restored, award-winning Gresley 'Quad-Arts'. In total, four passenger trains will be in use.

The NNR's newly launched 'North Norfolkman' dining train will also be in use on the evening of February 28 hauled by visiting 'B1' 'Mayflower'. Advanced booking is highly recommended.

Additionally, there will be special vintage bus tours of sections of the closed M&GN in Norfolk with renowned railway author Adrian Vaughan as guide. These tours will operate on Sundays only, with the morning tour covering the line towards Norwich and the afternoon over the route towards Lynn; heading as far as Massingham.

Geoff Gowing added: "It's unlikely that a steam gala will be held on a similar scale for the foreseeable future, so we urge enthusiasts to come and see this unique spectacle".

The Midland and Great Northern Joint Railway Society is the supporting charity of (and major shareholder in) the North Norfolk Railway, which operates a 5¼ mile heritage railway from Sheringham to Holt.

The Society actively works to preserve, display and operate a wide range of historical artefacts which include four steam locomotives and many unique carriages and wagons.